Velma Louise Starkweather's Obituary
Velma Louise Starkweather, age 104, of Claremore, OK, formerly of Pinckneyville, IL, went home to be with the Lord on December 12, 2016. Louise was born on November 30, 1912 in DuQuoin, IL, a daughter to Benjamin Pleasant and Ora Mae (Kick) Cook. On June 30, 1932, she married Harry C. "Bud" Starkweather in DuQuoin, IL and he preceded her in death on February 25, 1996. Louise worked and lived in the Pinckneyville and DuQuoin, IL area most of her life. She served in management at the DuQuoin sewing factory from shortly after WWII until it closed when she was 89 years old. During a short four year period from about 1959 to 1963 she helped start a sewing factory in Lepanto, AR. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL. until she moved to live with Fred and Nancy in Herrin, IL after the death of her husband, Bud. In 2008 she moved to the Tulsa, OK area with Fred and Nancy. When asked about her keys to a long life Louise would say "I love people, I eat an apple every day," and then with her trademark grin she would say, "And I'm a candy junkie." Survivors include one son, Fred (Nancy) Starkweather of Claremore, OK; daughter-in-law, Nita Starkweather of Pinckneyville, IL; grandchildren, Jeff (Laurel) Starkweather of Broken Arrow, OK, James (Cory) Starkweather of Herrin, IL, Jeremy (Amy) Starkweather of Castle Rock, CO, Staci Starkweather of Champaign, IL, Sean Starkweather of Chester, IL and Dana Buschschulte of Pinckneyville, IL; thirteen great-grandchildren, Megan, Melissa, Madison, Max, Austin, Alyx, Blake, Maci, Gavin, Seldyn, Kelly, DJ, and Jared. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bud; son, Rod Starkweather; brother, Lee; and sisters, Ethel and Ruth. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Pinckneyville, IL on Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Dr. Jay Lowder, Reverend Fred Bishop, and Reverend Steve McKeown officiating. The graveside service at Mueller Hill Cemetery in Pinckneyville, IL is to be announced later pending the travel plans of distant relatives Friends may call at First Baptist Church in Pinckneyville, IL on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL is in charge of arrangements.
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